WRV grad awarded second annual Hineman Scholarship by alumni group

By Nick Schneider SCHOLARSHIP WINNER -- Kayla Mathews, at right, accepts the Otto Hineman Alumni Scholarship from Switz City Central Alumni Association President Delmar Hasler.

A White River Valley High School graduate, who plans to pursue a career in industry chemistry, is the 2008 recipient of the Otto Hineman Alumni Scholarship presented by the Switz City Central High School Alumni Association.

Kayla Mathews, the daughter of Ken and Kelly Mathews of Worthington, is the $500 scholarship award winner.

She plans to attend Indiana University at Bloomington in the fall.

Kayla was very busy in and out of the classroom during her high school days at WRV.

She served as president and treasurer of the Student Council, was president and treasurer of the Spanish Club, a member of the HOPE Club, Fine Arts Club, Teens in Love with Christ (TLC), Teens Against Tobacco, National Honor Society, Drama Club and was a group program facilitator for the Junior High Leadership Academy. Kayla was also a free afternoon tutor, and served as a volunteer for Four Rivers Resource Service and the Indiana History Train.

She was a member of the varsity tennis team for two years and the track team for one year.

Kayla current works at Main Street Cafe in Worthington.

The scholarship, which was presented by alumni president Delmar Halser of Linton, bears Hineman's name as the only living graduate from the first class to receive diplomas from the Switz City Central High School -- 80 years ago.

The previous Central High School building was constructed in 1927. The building was demolished and replaced by the current White River Valley Junior-Senior High School facility in 1990.

Kevin Cross, of rural Sandborn, a 2007 WRV graduate was the first Hineman Scholarship winner last year. He is attending Purdue University majoring in agriculture education.

"We wanted to do something. He (Hineman) is the only member of that first class still living. We are glad he can attend and three of his children are coming with him," Sonja Hayes, the treasurer for the alumni association, said of the reason the scholarship was established.

Hineman is a 99-year-old Rush County farmer and retired teacher. He lives on his 250-acre farm where he still assists with the operation that grows corn and maintains a small cattle herd.

After high school, Hineman worked for one year before enrolling at Indiana State University in Terre Haute in 1930.

He recalls times were tough and he had to work and pay his way through school.

"I would go to college until my money ran out. Then, I came home and worked for farmers," he said.

Hineman graduated in 1937 with a degree in business and physical education.

His first teaching experience was at Monroe High School in Adams County where he taught business subjects and coached baseball and basketball.

From there, he taught at several schools in Johnson County before a farm accident changed things for him.

"I had an accident in 1946 involving a corn picker. I lost three fingers on my right hand so I was unable to type and teach typing. I took some additional training and taught elementary grades after that," he said.

Hineman received his Master's Degree in education from Ball State University in 1966.

His last teaching assignment was at Neil Armstrong Elementary School in Mooresville -- where he served for 10 years as assistant principal and a teacher before retiring in 1974 with 37 years of classroom experience.

Hineman's wife, the former Mable Dierdorf, was from Jasonville. He met her while attending ISU.

She died March 24, 2003.

They had four children -- Carolyn Hineman Martin, Harold Max Hineman, Kay Jeanne Hineman and Mark Dennis Hineman.